Device for teaching penmanship.



S. B. SMITH. DEVICE FOR TEACHING PENMANSHIP.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2,1908.

940,744. Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

/N VENTOR A; aria SIDNEY B. SMITH, or GAINESVILLE, TEXAS.

DEVICE FOR TEACHING PENMANSI-IIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1999..

Application filed June 2, 1908. Serial No. 436,261.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIDNEY B. SMITH, a

citizen of the United States, residing at,

Gainesville, in the county of Cooke and State of Texas, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Teaching Penmanship,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices designed for use inteaching penmanship, and has for its object to provide a device, which,while simple in construction, will, by mechanical means, effectuallyprevent writing solely by movement of the fingers and compel the studentto adopt a free, muscular movement in writing.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 shows a fore arm and handsupported in a proper writing position by means of my improved device;Fig. 2 shows a hand and a portion of the fore arm with my device appliedthereto, said hand and fore arm being turned to show the palm toillustrate the manner in which my device is applied, and the dispositionof the various parts of the device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of mydevice, and Fig. t is a sectional view taken through the ball on theline of the connection thereto of the various supporting arms,illustrating their adjustable screw connection thereto, the supportingbar and its connections being not shown.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred form of myinvention, 1 designates a spherical body or ball, which may obviously beof any suitable shape, and which is preferably made of aluminum tosecure lightness. To the ball 1 is secured a slightly curved arm 2provided at its outer end with a bow-shaped piece of metal 3, which isadapted to serve as a support or rest for the thumb. The arm 2 isthreaded at its lower end and adapted to be screwed into the ball inorder that it can be adjusted. To one sideof the arm 2 is a second armI, which, like arm 2, is slightly curved but is a little longer andcarries a bow-shaped piece of metal 5 on the outer end thereof, which isdesigned to support the middle finger. This arm 4: is also adjustable bybeing threaded at its lower end in order that it can be screwed into andout of the ball to secure a proper adjustment thereof. A short arm 6,likewise adjustably mounted upon the ball, is provided with twodivergently curved fingers 7 and 8 under which the fourth and fifthfingers are designed to be confined.

Extending laterally from the ball 1 is an arm 9 provided with a portion9" bent angularly to form a bearing. This arm 9 is also adjustablysecured to the ball by a screw threaded engagement. While the ball andthe adjustable arms carried thereby serve to properly position thefingers, the laterally extending arm 9 supports the hand in the properposition by preventing it from turning too far over to the right, as isthe tendency, when learning to write.

buitably attached to the underside of the ball is a short bar 10provided with a longitudinal slot 11 therein. Designed to be connectedto this bar is a metal strip or bar 12 of greater length, with itsforward end bent to form an extension l2 and provided with a stud or lug13 at its extreme forward end. The strip or bar 12 is designed to beadjustably connected to the bar 10 by a set screw let passing throughthe slot 11 and into the said strip or bar, and the stud or lug 13projecting through said slot prevents the strip or bar 12 from angularmovement relative to the bar lO.

The strip or bar 12 has riveted or otherwise secured thereto bow-shapedmembers 15, 15, which are provided with buckles l6,

7 16, and straps 17, 17 for the purpose of securing the device to thewrist, which obviates the necessity of gripping the ball in the palm ofthe hand.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have produceda device that can be readily adjusted to any size hand and will preventa person from falling into incorrect methods in acquiring the art ofwriting.

Having described my invention, what I claim, is,

1. In a device of the character described, a ball adapted to be held inthe hand, and longitudinally adjustablemeans carried by said ball formaintaining the fingers in proper position for writing, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a device of the character described, a ball adapted to be held inthe hand, adjustable means carried by said ball for maintaining thefingers in proper position for writing, and means carried by said ballfor maintaining the hand in proper position for writing, substantiallyas described.

3. In a device of the character described,

a ball adapted to be held in the hand, adj ustable means carried by saidball for main taining the fingers in proper position for writing,adjustable means carried by said ball for maintaining the hand in properposition for writing and means to secure the device to the Wrist of thewearer.

4. In a device of the character described,

a ball adapted to be held in the hand, adjustable means carried by saidball for maintaming the fingers 1n proper position for writing,adjustable means for maintaining the hand in proper position for wrltingand adjustable means for securing said device to the wrist of thewearer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SIDNEY R. SMITH.

lVit-nesses J. M. PRorFER, J. A. lVI-IITTEN.

